The Natural History of Selborne 147 



is a stream or canal running under the stables and out into 



the fields on the other side of the road : in this water are 



many carps, which lie rolling about in sight, being fed by 



travellers, who amuse themselves by 



tossing them bread ; but as soon as the 



weather grows at all severe these fishes 



are no longer seen, because they retire 



under the stables, where they remain till 



the return of spring. Do they lie in a 



torpid state? if they do not, how are 



they supported ? 



The note of the white-throat, which 

 is continually repeated, and often at- 

 tended with odd gesticulations on the 

 wing, is harsh and displeasing. These 

 birds seem of a pugnacious disposition ; 

 for they sing with an erected crest and 

 attitudes of rivalry and defiance; are 

 shy and wild in breeding-time, avoiding 

 neighbourhoods, and haunting lonely 

 lanes and commons ; nay even the very 

 tops of the Sussex downs, where there 

 are bushes and covert ; but in July and 

 August they bring their broods into 

 gardens and orchards, and make great 

 havoc among the summer-fruits. 



The black-cap has in common a full, 

 sweet, deep, loud, and wild pipe; yet 

 that strain is of short continuance, 

 and his motions are desultory ; but 

 when that bird sits calmly and engages 

 in song in earnest, he pours forth very 

 sweet, but inward melody, and expresses 



great variety of soft and gentle modulations, superior perhaps 

 to those of any of our warblers, the nightingale excepted. 



Black-caps mostly haunt orchards and gardens ; while they 

 warble their throats are wonderfully distended. 



